Brake drum



Jan. 5, 1937. c. L. EKSERGIAN BRAKE DRUM Filed Oct. 29, 1931 I 2 Sheets-Sheet l I/NVENTOR. C'AQO LUSL E KSERGIAN ATTORNEY.

1937- c. EKSERYGIAN 2,065,395

BRAKE DRUM Filed Oct. 29, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. CAROLUSLEKSERGIAN.

' ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 5, 1937 UNHED STATES- oFFicE BRAKE DRUM Application October 29, 1931, Serial No. 571,726

12 Claims.

My invention relates to the art of vehicle brakes and it has been my particular object to produce a brake drum and shoe assembly capable of an adequate braking contact under substantially uniform pressure across the entire width of the available braking surface under all conditions of temperature and pressure. Such uniformity of contact has been conspicuously absent in brakes of the prior art when the drums become hot by reason of repeated applications of the brake shoes thereto. Under these conditions the phenomenon known as bell-mouthing, i. e., a conical ex pension of the braking flange of the drum, has been very prevalent and has prevented the desired uniformity of contact and pressure. I have sought not only to prevent bell-mouthing, but

also to avoid any serious asymmetrical expansion of the brake drum and to control whatever inequalities exist in such a manner as to avoid any deleterious effect upon the braking function.

A further object of my invention has been to design a brake shoe and drum assembly, the relative rigidity of whose axial components is such as to afford a sufllcient flexibility in all points of the braking couple to avoid any untoward consequencesfrom inequalities in the friction surface of the shoe but which is yet suilicientlyrigid to avoid any considerable change from a true circular shape. Thus I have sought to devise a drum and shoe assembly which will permit of a relative yielding between these members about slight projections upon either of the friction surfaces and which will yet not permit any considerable degree of distortion of the shoe or drum in the zone of the extremities of the brake shoe upon the application of the shoe.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be obvious from a feading of the subjoined specification in the light of the attached drawings, in which,

Fig. 1. is a central axial section through my improved drum.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section of a half drum generally similar to Fig. l but illustrating a. slight modiflcation.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating a still further modification.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view illustrating the initial application of a brake shoe to my improved drum in a cold condition.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating in an exaggerated manner the relative positions of the parts at the instant of initial application of the shoe after the drum has become heated.

Fig. 7 is a. view similar to Figures 5 and 6 illustrating the position which the parts of those figures assume upon the application of further pressure to the shoe.

Referring to the drawings by reference char- 5 acters, the numeral I 0 indicates the pressed metal head of the composite drum of my invention. This head is provided with bolt receiving openings it through which it may be secured to a vehicle hub and with an overhanging flange I2 10 adapted to embrace a similar flange on an L- shaped pressed metal ring IS.

The ring i3 is integrally connected to a cast metal braking annulus M which constitutes the braking surface of my drum. In order to effect this integral joinder of the ring l3 and the braking annulus It I preferably coat the ring I3 with a suitable tinning composition and thereafter place it in a mold and integrally cast the annulus it around it. The outer peripheral edge of the 20 ring i3 is also preferably formed with a plurality of dovetailed grooves l8 into which the cast metal isadapted to flow, as indicated in Fig. 2, to still further interlock these parts. In this manner I obtain a joinder between these parts of the very strongest type.v The head I0 may be secured to the ring 13 in any suitable manner, but is preferably spot or spud welded thereto, as indicated at l5. .A relatively wide and thick rib is is provided in the braking annulus l4 adjacent the outer end thereof and a tall and thin rib ll is formed thereon in an annular zone slightly removed from the inner edge of the annulus.

The location and dimensions of this rib H are of great importance in the attainment of the objects of my invention, as these factors effect both the rigidity and the heat radiating qualities of the drum. I have further found that these two factors of location and rib dimension are closely interrelated so thatfi' change in the one necessitates a corresponding change in the other in order to maintain a perfect drum. For a relatively tall and thin rib such as that illustrated in the drawings, a location of the rib approximately twothirds of the distance from the outer to the inner edge of the braking surface has been found most satisfactory. A tall and thin rib is very much preferred to a thicker rib because of'the fact that a rib of this type has a maximum radiating surface in proportion to its total heat content and is therefore able to dissipate heat by radiation at a fairly rapid rate and yet does not have such a great volume as to afford it a large heat content which would tend to the temperature of the drum for a considerable length of time after considerably the effective pressure which can be ance ofmydrumwillbeapparent froma studyofFiguresSto'lofthedrawingsascontrasted with the performance oi. a conventional pressed metaldrum. It is well knownthat a pressed metal drum having an integral head expands into a conical shape in which its free edge has a considerably larger diameter than the edge I lacent theheadofthedrum,underthecombinedinfluences of-heat and pressure. This conical expansion of the drum naturally decreases very obtained by the application of a substantially cylindrical shoe toward the free edge of the drum. Furthermore, the action of such a drum is different under different conditions of temperature.

and pressure. Accordingly, it is impossible to design a brake. shoe of this type capable of correcting these factors and thus obtaining an even application of pressure. Under extreme tem-. peratures an almost complete loss of braking power is experienced in the application of a brake shoe to such a drum. With my improved drum, on theother hand, expansion of the. successive axial elements of the braking surface is very nearly equal and whatever inequalities exist do not interfere with'the proper functioning of, the brakes.

Fig. 5 illustrates the initial application of a brakeshoetomydrumwhenthedrumisina cold condition. Under these conditions both the drum and the shoe are substantially cylindrical and a fairly uniform braking contact is thus natm-ally obtained across the entire width of both members. Thecast nature of the ring and the provision of ribs ll and I1 thereon affords a suflicient rigidity to prevent any substantial distortion of the drum to a conical shape under the I influence of the pressure of the shoe. It is'to'be noted, however, that the central portion of the drum is less rigid than the portions i0 and I1 and that if the drum flexes at all under these circumstancesit will be the central portion which will flex outwardly to the maximum extent and thatthedrumwillthereforeassumeaslightl! concave shape as illustrated in ll'lg. 'L' As the pressure upon the shoe is applied in the region of the central plane of the shoe, where the shoe is most rigid, it will naturally (6nd to maintain its a increase of pressure in zones removed from the central portion of the shoe and a corresponding decrease of pressure at the central portion there- 'of. As the pressure in a truly cylindrical is greatest in the zone of and zone of greatest rigidity of the, brahing'couple', it will be obvious that'this increase sure toward the edges of the drum of eifective pressure in the cone of its 'ter will, 11* the characteristics of flexibility of the members of the braking couple are properly corillustratedinexaggerated forminl 'igafl, d

related, afford a equal pressure acrosstheentirewidthofthedrum.-

Letusnowconsiderthecaseofahot The rib'il affords provision fora consid cooling of the freeedgeof thisdrum as doestherib' II on the edge of the drum adiacent to a very slightly concave shape, as illustrated in greatly exaggerated form in Fig. 8. The appliea tion of pressure to the shoe in the central plane of the shoe and drum therefore eifects an initial contact ofthe shoe with the extreme edges of the drum, as illustrated in Fig.8, and thereafter head thereof. Furthermore. both of these ribs j tendtorenderthedrumveryrigidin theseaonea. Accordingly. any tendency of the drum to expand under the influence of heat is exaggerated to a. maximum degree in the central portion of the drum and results in a transverse flexure'thereof tion of pressure to the shoe, as illustrated in Fig.

any possibility of brake chatter.

While I have illustrated a.transverse flexure z 7.- Such a-complete contact aifords an adequate application of the braking force and precludes. w

of Q these. members into... .complemental braking I wish-it to be understood;that my invention in its broadest aspect embraces the provision:

' engagement with. each other by a wrapping action from the edges inwardly toward the center,

of any means whereby a symmetrical wrapping "action from an initial none of application takes parts are relativelyflexed symmetrically in opposite directions from the center by the application of force to the edges ofthe brake shoes purview of my will also ,come within invention.

f In any'jcase, it is highly desirable thatthe zone or zones of maximum rigidity ofthe shoe should correspond to the zone or zones of'mini mum rigidity of the drum. Furthermore, the

shoe should preferably be applied through aforce acting thereon inan axial zone correspond ing to the zone of minimum rigidity of the drum.

It willbe noted'that my drum hasbeen de-- sig'ned to aflord a substantially equal expansign of the portions I and i1 thereofiadiacent its opposite axial extremities under all conditions of heat and, pressure. These parts are not only so designed as',to aflord a substantially equal degree of rigidity in these .two aones,..but arealsosoarrangedastocausethesepartsto attainsubstantially the same temperaturesunder' all conditions of brake applications In an ordinary the ,freeedge has a somewhat greater tendency to heat thanf'the edge adiacent the head. In order to cause these partsto lss attain an equal temperature, it is therefore dc 'sirable that the free edge should he provided with better facilities for the radiation and.con'-...

duction ofheat than the confined edge of the drum. To this end I have designed the rib i1 of relatively tall and thin cross section in order to afford a heat radiating surface and a minimum 0n the other hand,

the ribis adjacent the free edge or volume and not so good radiating .qualitiesbecause of its smaller surface area.- The'axiaily extending portion of the ring'13a1so acts some what as a'heat throttle toprevent the too rapid conduction of heat from the rib" It to the head I0 of the drum. Thus-the. opposite edges oi the drum are not only balanced as to rigidity. by

the'rib l1 adjacent the free endiand the rib l6, and-ring "I3 on the conflnedend o'f'thedrum, but theyare also so designed as to attain sub-- stantialLv equal mean effective. temperatures and consequently equalexpansion characteristics 'un-1 der. all conditions of heatto which thefdrum is.

Y subjected;

- ing surface affords provision .for a. considerable contraction of the portion cast intothe-braking annulus without danger or these parts breaking apart incident to the. contraction of; the-east braking, surface upon the. cooling of the metal Y thereof after the casting. operation; ilfithcrefore I- regard the arrangement. whereby'I'first-cast'the -ring' '13 into the braking-annulus. and thereafter weld the composite ji ig and. brakingi ann11lus-.

to. the backing :plate asan important, feature of my invention. In Fi .1 3'11 have illustrateda slightly modiiiedjfforrn" in whichjthe-flbacking. plate is curved outwardly as indicated at: l9 and press fitted within an annular pressed: metal ring 20'. 'Ifhis form. of my invention is" otherwise identical with that of -Figs; 1;and 2.

. .In Fig.- 4 Ihavelillus'trated a still further modi -"lfled i'orm'oi my inventionfin which the edge 'of' the head is .un'flanged and is welded directly'fto' the L-shaped ring without being-press fitted therej about as illu'strated aty2l. In this form or my invention 1' have also illustrated amodifled arrangement of ribs-in which the :centralribj! of maximum height is disposed aboutftwo-thirds of v the distance: from' the' confined edge to the free edge of the braking, annulus-and a plurality, of lesser ribs 23 are provided on each side of the rib 22.- It will be noted that in this form as well as in the form. previously described the-ribbed braking annulus ismorerigid-in the .neighbor- I hood of its. axial extremities than at any other point. braking fannuluspis veryrigid, and whatever expansion occurs effect aconcave J curvature of the braking surfaceand. the shoe may accordingly contormPitself. to this curva *ture upon the applicationioff braking' p'r'essllr thereto;

In connection with anyof 'thefabove mentioned forms I have found it highly. desirable to machine. the exterior, as' well'as'the interior suriaceof the drum to the desired -fl nished si 'ze. as; sures the desired thickness of successive. axial components of the drum necessary {to correctly correlate the .heat dissipatingand. rigidity char-I acteristi'cs thereof and at the same time insures.

a uniformity of the drum ahnul'arly.

. I have illustrated in the drawings three interpretation ofmy invention except in accord ing claims. v

What is claimedis:

the drum' 1. A brake is relatively short and-thick. This rib therefore has a considerable heat content because of its large" ,to said second ring Y 7 '3 ..A. brake drumycomprising'a cast braking -rin ,,a second ringsecured' to s'aidbraking ring adjacent an; axial extremity thereof, and a head provided with'aflange pressed fitabout a portion: I I J of said second "ring, said head beingsecured to, The'provision 'ofla separate -l.--'s'haped; ring-13' cast intothe head of a drum instead of'castin'g'j' a portionof theheadjlp directly into the. brak= sepa. rate modifications of m invention.- It will be obvious, however that its generic spirit is broad--'.

er. thanany of these specific modiflcationsand. Ido not, accordingly, wish to 'be limited'in the drum.-having an annular braking; surface whose axial extremities the one anchored and the-'other free aresuflic'ientlyrigidto pr'e---.. I

.ventany substantialdistortionjthereof and hav .ing 'ai'central .axial zone more flexible than said end portions, the rigidityhfthe'drum at its'free end being substantially equal to the rigidity qr the drum at its anchored end. 1

'2. A brake drum 'compri'singacastbrakingring, j 10:;

a. second ring integrally secured to 'an axial "extremity of said braking ring,

said second ring.'-.,'

ra ly, curedthereto...

" ring;- an .L-shaped ring having-one oij its arms; integrally secured "to said cast. braking ring, and. 'a;head .embracing'said fL-shaped'ring andinmay secured to. a radially extending portion 1 .tl irepfli'. 1 1 i Yn-Abrak. drum-.including-ajbraking flange oif'su'bstantialrigidity adjacent its opposite ax-' ial extremitiesand-a' more flexible portion-intermediate extremities} {the opposite axial extremitiesbeing of substantially 1 equal rigidity, fandone-extremity bein'g radially flexibly ans- 'tremity' o'i" said'bra-king ring; and a head secured -tosaid.'second'ring. jl v shorter radial extent:- at'eitheri side thereof; an

[ 10. A brakei'drum of cast loads in "coaction withi'a usual'T-secti'on'symand-a head secured.

. -8, A. lbrake j'drum' comprising' a cast braking.--

r n' se dj s-fh v n a 12 "flang o ;.s tantial radial extent formed thereon suhstan 'tial ly. 'one-third of; the axialfextent' of the brake 1 portionvof 'said ring i r'om j-the. 'freeedgethereoflff a second" ring integrally secured to [an axial ex;

9.1x brakezdruin comprising, a -cas't-jbrakingi ring',;sa. d*brak ingring havingjcooling flanges, one of said fflanges'. having-substantial radial 'e'xtent and being approximately.oneethird-jot the-axial T extent from the-Iree ed'ge of. ring andIhav-ing; "additional cooling I ring 3 ii'an'g'efs of-'-'.considerab ly 5 ma mlham- 4 predominating ribbing formedon its outer; p'e-i f friphery and localized to a region approximately 1 one-third o'ithe distance from'i'ts'free-axial'ex-' tremity to its head extremity, and {a second rib; bingfof less predominance formed .thereonli'n the I neighborhood or the head extremity, the; ribbing a being located and proportioned toafforditula-v stantially equal rigidity an'dthermalexpansion at its opposite extremities, whereby thebrakingf.

metrical'brakeshoe are substantially equally 'dis- 1 I tributedv on opposite sides oi' the central-plane ll t e r zdrumij 1'. i

bfakihgf ringahaving predominant ribbing ini tegrally i'prniedthereon-and'iocaiized to. a region f approximately, ione-third hogx tlie; distance from the: ireeaxiai edge of theydrmntothe' head thereoiQand a second j predominating ribbing formed on said lrinfl but -o1' lesspredominance 9.

thani,t he'-flrstflnamed ribbing and localized to a regionnadjacenti the zone of, attachment of the head 01 the drum, the ribbing being located and I proportioned'to aflordsubstantially equal rigidlty at its opposite extremities, whereby the brak- -ing;loads in coaction with :the usual T-section symmetrical brake shoe are substantially equally.

. distributed on opposite'sides the central plane passing through and normal to the axis oi! the .12. A brake drum 0! cast material having a tall and thin outstandingly predominant rib adjacent but within its i'reeaxial extremity and a "short and thick rib at the axially anchored extremity thereo! into which is castthe head of. the drum,'the ribbing affording substantially equal rigidity and thermal expansion at the opposite extremities of the drum, whereby the brak-' CAROLUS L. EKSERGIA'N.

- drum. 

